The Sting (1973): Shira's Take

I love watching movies I grew up on and understanding the prostitution references and homosexual undertones (which are always present in Robert Redford movies). I also love watching movies in which the screenplay and visuals overshadow the actors. I mean, it's hard to steal the spotlight from Redford and Paul Newman, two of the greatest American actors, but they really do take a backseat to the amazing story and great setting (including costumes by one of my favorite strong women, Edith Head). Really, though Redford is technically the star, this is an ensemble movie with great ensemble actors. Lots of "I know her!" and "Wasn't he in Fast Times at Ridgemont High?"

There's not really much to say about the Sting. It's really just entertaining and fun 'til the end. The viewer is in on the joke, but there is a little bit of a twist, which really makes the con as delightful for us to watch as it must have been for Hooker and Gondorff to carry out. Eitan pointed out a similarity to the French Connection (a chase scene underneath and in the subway station). I think everything about the Sting is like the muted, family-friendly French Connection. Instead of a sleazy drug ring, we see the glamour of conning Irish mafia lords. Clearly, in 1936, the Great Depression was nearing its end, but it seems to me that it's still a time period conducive to a depressing atmosphere. The Sting acknowledges its chronological setting when Hooker mentions the Depression, but it gives us an alternate view. On the other hand, the French Connection takes a time period that is not especially gritty and shows us the scummiest, most unsavory side of it. Of course, I could just be falling victim to the typical moviegoing trap--thinking anything with Robert Redford in it is polished and pretty and everything else is dirty by comparison.

I think I've stopped making sense. This happens when I have little to say about a movie. But I like it. 9/10